Reginald Evans (27 March 1928 – 7 February 2009) was a British-born actor active in Australian radio, theatre, television and cinema from the 1960s, after having started his career in his native England.
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Early life
Evans started drama while in the Royal Air Force, stationed near Oxford, England. After leaving the RAF, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, followed by work in repertory theatre. He toured Europe with the New Park Theatre Club and later became its artistic director.
Evans immigrated to Australia in the 1960s and worked in commercial radio and toured with the theatre company the Young Elizabethan Players.
Career
Evans' many Australian television appearances include guest roles in Homicide, You Can't See 'Round Corners, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Number 96, Division 4, Spyforce, The Evil Touch, A Time for Love, Behind the Legend, The Comedy Game, and The Hour Before My Brother Dies.
In 1980, he featured in the Australian version of Are You Being Served?
Evans played several roles in Prisoner – a colleague at Eddie Cook's electrical firm (1979), the foreman at the printshop where inmate Bea Smith does her work release (1982), and Foxy, an old friend of Lizzie Birdsworth (1983), before taking the permanent role of Detective Howard Simmons in 1985.
He also appeared in the TV series Blue Heelers as Keith Purvis in the 1990s. In 2005, he returned to Blue Heelers in a smaller guest role.
Evans' film credits include Mad Dog Morgan (1976), the Station Master in Mad Max (1979), a pirate in The Island (1980), Manganinnie (1980), The Plains of Heaven (1982), Kitty and the Bagman (1983), Strikebound (1984), My Letter to George (1986) and Celia (1989). His final role was a part in film Charlie and Boots.
Partial filmography
Film
Journey Out of Darkness (1966) – Man in pub (uncredited)
Stone (1974) – Solicitor
Mad Dog Morgan (1976) – Bob
Deathcheaters (1976) – Army Sergeant
Raw Deal (1977) – Carpenter
Mad Max (1979) – Station Master
The Island (1980) – Jack the Bat
Manganinnie (1980) – Quinn
Gallipoli (1981) – Athletics Official 1
The Plains of Heaven (1982) – Cunningham
A Shifting Dreaming (1982, TV movie) – Dudley Playford Adamson
Kitty and the Bagman (1983) – Chicka
Strikebound (1984) – Ernie
Mesmerised (1985) – Me Simmons
My Letter to George (1985) – Mr. Simmons
The Hour Before My Brother Dies (1986, TV movie) – Father
100% Wool (1986) – Charlie
Evil Angels (1988) – The Jury (Foreman)
Celia (1989) – Jack
Father (1990) – Old Charlie
Heaven Tonight (1990) – Norm Jenkins
Flynn (a.k.a. My Forgotten Man) (1993) – Hobo
Television
Consider Your Verdict (1964, 1 episode) – John Bragge
The Stranger (1964, miniseries, 1 episode) – Soshuniss citizen
You Can't See 'Round Corners (1967, 3 episodes) – Ern McCauliffe
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo (1968–70, 3 episodes) – Star / Frog / Fred
Riptide (1969, 1 episode) – Assistant Manager
Woobinda, Animal Doctor (1969, 1 episode) – Spencer
The Rovers (1969, 1 episode) – Barney
Homicide (1969–76, 7 episodes) – Leo Fowler / Willie Morris / George Jackson / Len Tucker / Brian Smith / John Evans / Charlie White
Dynasty (1970, 1 episode) – Jim
Spyforce (1971, 1 episode) – Prune
The Comedy Game (1971, 1 episode) – Bus Driver 1
A Time for Love (1972) – guest role
Number 96 (1972–73, 3 episodes) – Mr Thorburn / Laundry Manager
Division 4 (1969–73, 4 episodes) – Merv Lacey / Joe Smith / Lesley Fisher
Behind the Legend (1972, 1975) – C.J. Dennis / John Shaw Nielson at 40
The Evil Touch (1973, 1 episode) – Ralphie
And the Big Men Fly (1974, 6 episodes) – Wally Sloss
Death
Evans and his partner, Angela Brunton, died in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
